real true honest consuming loneliness

is like a migraine that comes and goes

in the absence of it i forget it entirely

i can't remember how cold it feels

to be surrounded completely by warmth

i feel temperate and protected and alive

until it eases back in like a warning

the first symptom of sickness, a sore throat

a cough, a runny nose, shortness of breath

it lies with me in bed while i tell it to go

to leave me alone, that i'm done with it

but it stays because it's afraid i'm lonely

my solitude hates to leave my alone

and brings it's party of other companions

i knew they were coming and said please no

but here they are, more reliable than i am

it starts with the loneliness, a sore throat

it brings the cold and morbidity of winter

a real true honest consuming loneliness

is sometimes all you can count on